Social News 7/10 Upcoming law advised to raise prostitutes’ awareness   The upcoming Law on Prostitution Prevention is advised to raise awareness on prostitution to encourage prostitutes to change their “job.” In case prostitutes do not want to change, the law should offer them basic rights, such as protecting them from being beaten and exploited, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalid and Social Affairs Nguyễn Trọng Đàm told the Voice of Việt Nam’s online newspaper. The draft of the law has been prepared and is scheduled to be submitted to the National Assembly in early 2018. Đàm said Việt Nam had undertaken measures to prevent prostitution for years but had still failed to bring the situation under control. In a recent attempt to address the situation, the ministry had prepared a pilot model to prevent prostitution in the five northern provinces, he said. According to the model, peer groups will be set up to get prostitutes to gather. Through these groups, authorised agencies will know how many prostitutes are present in an area, what issues they face, and find ways to help them fix these issues. Additionally, information could be disseminated to alter their view of prostitution. Statistics from the ministry showed that the country currently has over 100,000 prostitutes. Điện Biên border guards nab heroin smuggler The narcotics crime prevention force under Điện Biên Province’s Border Guards, in collaboration with the Mường Nhà Border Station, yesterday arrested drugs smuggler Vừ A Phồng. Born in 1982, Phồng resides in Sơn Tống hamlet, Na Tông Commune, Điện Biên District. The smuggler was caught red-handed illegally transporting three heroin packages and 1,600 synthetic drugs tablets in Sơn Tống Hamlet. Besides these drugs, the enforcement team also seized one handgun with 119 bullets and a cellphone. During questioning, Vừ A Phồng confessed to purchasing and illegal smuggling narcotics. Further investigation is underway to target the entire illegal drugs transportation chain from Laos to Việt Nam in which Vừ A Phồng was identified as the key link. Vietnam promotes tourism in Australia The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) and the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia launched a programme in Sydney on October 4 to promote Vietnam’s tourism in the host country. More than 100 entrepreneurs operating in tourism and hotel sectors were brought together at the event. VNAT Deputy Director General Ha Van Sieu said that the number of Australian tourist arrivals to Vietnam reached over 305,000 in 2015, ranking eighth among the 10 leading tourist markets of Vietnam. Defining tourism as a spearhead economy, the Vietnamese Government has put forth a number of policies to support tourism companies of both countries to operate more effectively, he said. The event creates a good chance for Vietnamese and Australian businesses to seek partners and propose programmes to bring Australian visitors to Vietnam and vice versa. Participants exchanged information in the tourism market in Vietnam and Australia as well as sought to expand operation in the respective countries. Under Vietnam’s tourism promotion strategy, the VNAT named Australia and New Zealand among the key markets as those from the two countries often spend much and stay long. Australia, in particular, is expected to be a strongly growing market in 2017 and the following years as Vietnamese cultural, gastronomic, and ecological tourism is attracting Australian visitors. As planned, the VNAT will launch tourism promotion programmes in Melbourne and Brisbane cities. Crane shaft breaks, tree trunk falls on teenager A tree trunk fell on a teenager at around 11am on October 4 while a truck mounted crane was loading a dozen coconut trunks. Nguyễn Ngọc Vàn (43, residing in Bình Phước Province), the crane’s driver and controller, together with a group of workers, was loading the tree trunks in an empty lot next to Provincial Road No. 745 (ĐT745) in Thuận An Town. While hoisting the crane, the shaft suddenly broke and caused a 5m-long coconut trunk to fall on Phan Lê Minh Triều, 15, from An Giang Province, who was standing beside the truck. The teenager died on the spot. The town’s authorities arrived soon after and set up a blockade at the incident site to carry out their investigation. The driver allegedly told the police that the same morning Triều had asked to go along for a ride in the crane and hang out with him. Further investigation is underway.  Hà Nội water pipeline likely ruptured for 20th time The water pipeline carrying fresh water from Đà River to Hà Nội is facing issues again this week, forcing thousands of households to survive without fresh water for several days. According to the Hà Nội Clean Water Company notice posted on its website, the pipeline developed a problem at 9pm on Sunday. The company said it would reduce water supply to households in the Bắc Thăng Long Industrial Zone and in Kim Chung, Võng La, Đại Mạch and Hải Bối in Đông Anh District between Monday and Thursday (October 3 and October 6). Nguyễn Anh Việt, general manager of Viwaco JSC, said water supply would resume today once the repair work was completed. The issue reportedly occurred in the section running through Thạch Thất District, but leaders of authorised agencies have not yet confirmed this.  Meanwhile, Trương Quốc Dương, deputy director of Vinaconex Clean Water JSC, the project’s investor, denied the rupture of the pipeline, telling vov.vn water supply to residents was normal. This is the 20th time the Đà River pipeline, which cost US$70 million and is the sole line carrying fresh water from the river to the city, has faced an issue since being put into operation in 2009, resulting in an estimated loss of 1.5 million cu.m. of water. The latest rupture was on September 15, cutting water supply to 70,000 households in the city. The reason for the massive rupture is the substandard pipes that Vinaconex, the project’s investor, purchased from a Chinese contractor. Over 60 critical endangered pangolins saved Sixty-one wild Java pangolins (Manis javanica) have been handed over to Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW) by Thai Binh province’s Police Department. The pangolins were seized by the Thai Binh police while being illegally trafficked on October 4. Three of the pangolins were already dead, while one was seriously ill, SVW said in an official release. Experts from SVW said the pangolins would now be cared for at the rescue centre in Cuc Phuong National Park before being released back into nature in good health. According to SVW, 53 pangolins have been returned to the world in the last two months. Vietnam has two pangolin species, the Sunda Pangolin and the Chinese Pangolin. Both species are critically endangered, meaning they are in imminent threat of becoming extinct in the wild. Pangolins are the most illegally traded animals in the world. Vietnam and many states in Africa and Asia have laws that prohibit the capture and trade in pangolins. Flights to Busan delayed due to typhoon Flights from Việt Nam to Busan City in South Korea were delayed last night and this morning due to Typhoon Chaba passing over northeastern countries, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) has announced. VN422 flight from HCM City to Busan will now depart at 12.15pm today, while flight VN426 from Hà Nội to Busan will depart at 1.15pm this afternoon. VNA has recommended that passengers whose flights to or from Busan are scheduled while the typhoon passes over the area to keep getting updates of the weather forecast. The airlines also called for passengers’ cooperation in case of delays due to the bad weather. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, Typhoon Chaba crossed over South Korea’s southern and southeastern coasts from last night till today morning, creating 8m waves. The typhoon is expected to bring 250mm of rainfall and winds of up to 30m per second in the southern parts of the Korean Peninsula, including Busan, the Korea Times reported. One more person injured by metal sheets The driver of a three-wheeler transporting steel sheets was injured after he failed to stop his vehicle while going down a slope in Hà Nội’s Chúc Sơn town on Monday. This is the third accident in the last 10 days involving a three-wheeler carrying steel plates. The man, who was driving the vehicle loaded with sharp steel sheets used for building roofs, suffered serious cuts on his back because of the sheets as he did not hit the brakes on time. The accident took place in Chợ Cống. He was quickly taken to a local hospital. Witnesses said the edges of the sheets had not been covered to prevent injuries to drivers and other people on the road. On September 24, a nine-year-old boy in Hà Nội’s Hoàng Mai district died after his bicycle crashed into a parked cyclo carrying steel sheets and his throat got slashed. He was rushed to hospital, but died from severe blood loss. A day later, a 64-year-old woman died after her throat got cut similarly when she was hit by a three-wheeler transporting sharp steel sheets in Hà Nội’s Hà Đông district. Tay Ninh eyes hi-tech agriculture cooperation with Japan The southern province of Tay Ninh wants to cooperate with Japan in developing hi-tech and clean agriculture meeting VietGAP, Global GAP and Organic standards.  Speaking at a meeting on October 6, Secretary of the provincial Party’s Committee Tran Luu Quang said the province will send a delegation to Japan to call for Japanese investment in the sector in December.  The provincial Party chief instructed relevant bodies to ensure land is ready for hi-tech agricultural projects to keep up with other regional provinces such as Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria – Vung Tau.  As of the end of September, the province’s GDP was valued at 3,.123 billion VND (1.58 billion USD), a year-on-year increase of 7.4 percent, in which the agro-forestry-fisheries value accounted for 82.7 percent, up 4.4 percent from the same period last year, according to Nguyen Thanh Ngoc, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee. The locality has also mapped out a project on hi-tech agriculture development as part of the restructuring scheme of the agriculture sector. In the reviewed period, Tay Ninh collected nearly 5.44 trillion VND (244.7 million USD) for the state budget, or 85 percent of the target, up 20.3 percent.  The figure is expected to exceed its yearly target by 10-15 percent this year, Ngoc said. Vietnam, Sweden share experience in building sustainable society Vietnam and Sweden shared experience in building a sustainable society during a forum held in Hanoi on October 6.  Representatives from Swedish firms such as Volvo, Ericson, Tetra Pak and Hoganas talked about public and smart transport, demand for sustainable energy, innovation measures to turn Vietnam into a global manufacturing centre, as well as investment in education and training.  Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai said Vietnam maintained an economic growth of more than 5.78 percent from 2010-2015 despite negative impacts from the global economic downturn and uncertain oil prices.  However, numerous problems have emerged, prompting the need to renew the growth model towards dynamic and sustainable development.  The Deputy Minister hailed suggestions at the event as lessons for Vietnam to refine its economic development model.  Swedish Minister of EU Affairs and Trade Ann Linde, for her part, said Sweden pledges to use eco-friendly vehicles, ease reliance on oil by 2030 and use no more fossil fuels from 2040.  Vietnam and Sweden have a lot of cooperation opportunities for sustainable development, toward an emission-free society, she said.  The event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Swedish Trade and Investment Organisation and the Swedish embassy in Hanoi. Vietnamese, Lao border localities team up to fight HIV/AIDS Vietnam’s Thanh Hoa and Son La provinces and Laos’s Houaphan province have signed a document featuring their partnership in preventing and combating HIV/AIDS in border areas in the future. The deal was inked at a conference on October 6 during which the localities shared lessons in combating HIV/AIDS in border areas with the support of the Greater Mekong Subregion Capacity Building for HIV/AIDS Prevention project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Accordingly, the localities will share information in conducting cross-border activities in HIV/AIDS prevention and combat, while working together in increasing vulnerable groups’ and the community’s access to preventive medical services and HIV/AIDS treatment. They will also strengthen coordination in the work for more efficient and sustainable outcomes. At the conference, the three localities updated each other of their HIV/AIDS situation, while proposing a number of measures to enhance the efficiency of their coordination in preventing and controlling the pandemic in border areas. Pham Duc Manh, deputy head of the Department for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control under the Ministry of Health, spoke highly of the cooperation of the three localities in the work, expressing his hope that they will continue working closely in the future. The Greater Mekong Subregion Capacity Building for HIV/AIDS Prevention project has been launched in 15 border localities of Vietnam, including Lai Chau, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Dien Bien, Son La, Ha Tinh, Thanh Hoa, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Nong, Binh Phuoc, and Long An and the University of Public Health in the 2013-2017 period. One of the objectives of the project is to improve the preventive measures against HIV among high-risk groups in border localities. Under the project, the central province of Thanh Hoa, northern mountainous province of Son La and Houaphan have held a number of activities to enhance the capacity of health care staff in the work, while giving technical supervision and equipment for beneficiaries and building pilot models in HIV prevention and combat, thus raising public awareness and minimising the HIV transmission among the community. However, due to large land area, languages, and a lack of healthcare staff, the number of drug addicts is still rising, while there are many HIV-infected people are living the community. Health hazards shorten industrial careers: study Many industrial workers face early retirement caused by occupational health conditions, according to a National Institute of Labour Protection study.  Labourers, particularly female workers, at industrial and export and processing zones often retire at just 30-40 years old when confronted with diseases caused by workplace conditions, the Lao do ng (Labour) newspaper reported.  A recent study from the National Institute of Labour Protection under the Vietnam Labour Federation revealed that diseases such as blood shortage, blood sugar reduction and otorhinolaryngology diseases are common diseases for workers.  The report determined that only 5.2 percent of surveyed workers were ranked as having very good health, while 39.5 percent of them are in moderately good health conditions.  It said that improper working conditions, high working intensity and poor living conditions are key factors affecting workers’ health.  Nguyen Be Em, a worker at a garment factory at Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone in HCM City, told the newspaper that she often felt dizzy in recent days but did not dare see doctors for fear of discovering she had some disease.  She said that most of the workers at her factory suffer from a range of diseases.  Many businesses fire workers who fail to meet health requirements even if they are young.  Businesses often think of different ways for workers to stop working, such as increasing the workload until a worker fails to complete his/her assignments, the newspaper reported. Some businesses change production technology so workers who fail to adapt to the change are forced to quit.  Hoang Thi Nga, a worker from the central province of Ha Tinh, told the newspaper that she asked to quit her job because her company continued to increase working shifts. “I was too tired because of the working pressure,” she said.  In HCM City, many businesses - particularly garment and textile companies - dismiss workers once they reach the age of 30, according to Head of the Institute of Workers and Trade Unions Vu Quang Tho.  Garment and textile businesses often use workers for around 10 years, when workers are between 20- and 30-years old. These businesses assume that workers’ health will reduce when they are over 30 years old and will therefore fail to meet work demand, Tho told Lao dong newspaper.  “Although many workers are still healthy enough to work when they are 30 years old, many businesses still want to replace them with new and younger ones,” he said.  Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Minh Huan said the practice of dismissing workers with subpar health does not violate any regulations.  However, if businesses abuse this issue to give workers the push, there exist regulations protecting the interests of workers.  Tho said it was necessary to legally require businesses to employ workers over a certain period. For example, businesses must commit to employing workers over a period of 25-30 years.  The Government should implement tighter regulations to ensure the interests of workers, while workers themselves should actively improve their skills and capacity, he said.  The Vietnam Labour Federation has entrusted the Institute of Workers and Trade Unions to carry out a survey on industrial businesses ending labour relations with workers at the age of between 38 and 40. The survey will serve as a basis to deal with the issue. Tay Ninh eyes hi-tech agriculture cooperation with Japan The southern province of Tay Ninh wants to cooperate with Japan in developing hi-tech and clean agriculture meeting VietGAP, Global GAP and Organic standards.  Speaking at a meeting on October 6, Secretary of the provincial Party’s Committee Tran Luu Quang said the province will send a delegation to Japan to call for Japanese investment in the sector in December.  The provincial Party chief instructed relevant bodies to ensure land is ready for hi-tech agricultural projects to keep up with other regional provinces such as Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria – Vung Tau.  As of the end of September, the province’s GDP was valued at 3,.123 billion VND (1.58 billion USD), a year-on-year increase of 7.4 percent, in which the agro-forestry-fisheries value accounted for 82.7 percent, up 4.4 percent from the same period last year, according to Nguyen Thanh Ngoc, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee. The locality has also mapped out a project on hi-tech agriculture development as part of the restructuring scheme of the agriculture sector. In the reviewed period, Tay Ninh collected nearly 5.44 trillion VND (244.7 million USD) for the state budget, or 85 percent of the target, up 20.3 percent.  The figure is expected to exceed its yearly target by 10-15 percent this year, Ngoc said. Vietnam offers eye check-ups to Cambodian people Doctors and nurses from the Army Hospital 175 and the Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital offered free eye check-ups, surgeries and medicines to Cambodian residents in Phnom Penh on October 6.  Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Defence Minister Tran Don said the Vietnam People’s Army will work closely with the Cambodian Royal Army to offer the best medical support those in need in the two countries, contributing to promoting the tradition of friendship between the two peoples.  Cambodian Secretary of State for Defence Meung Samphon asked the Vietnamese Defence Ministry to continue helping Preah Ket Mealea hospital open a high-tech eye department in its future six-storey building.  The two-day event is expected to benefit 300 poor people in Phnom Penh and adjacent provinces.  Each year, the Army Hospital 175 offers treatment to nearly 500 officers from the Cambodian Royal Army. Campaign brings literacy to 800,000 people in Dong Thap As many as 800,000 people in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap have got rid of illiteracy thanks to the “Summer Culture Light” Campaign, which was launched by local youth in 1996.  The beneficiaries were aged between 15 and 60 in remote areas such as Tam Nong, Thap Muoi, Hong Ngu, Tan Hong, Lap Vo and Chau Thanh. Over the past two decades, members of the provincial youth union have organised summer activities for nearly 400,000 children, including classes for 43,000 primary school pupils, while encouraging 27,000 secondary school students to go to school at the right age. The volunteers have also taught computer skills for 60,000 youngsters in 12 localities across the province, helping raise the rate of young people who know to use the Internet to over 85 percent.  Voluntary campaigns for the community during summers have attracted nearly 40,000 volunteers, including more than 2,000 students from local universities and colleges, who devoted 48,000 working days to the implementation of 25 works.- Vietnam-Korea cooperation centre established in Thai Nguyen A Vietnam-Republic of Korea cooperation centre will be established in the northern province of Thai Nguyen to help carry out projects in support of local people. A memorandum of understanding on the centre’s establishment was signed by the Vietnam-RoK Friendship Association of Thai Nguyen province, the Korea Food for Hungry International and Samsung Vietnam in Thai Nguyen on October 5, Quan doi Nhan dan (People’s Army) newspaper reported. The centre will implement the Samsung Hope School project in Quyet Thang commune, Thai Nguyen city. The school is expected to cost 950,000 USD, of which 450,000 USD is for construction and equipment while the rest covers its operation for ten years. As well as education, the school will hold extracurricular activities and medical check-ups for its students. Ninh Binh strives to exceed social-economic development goals Chairman of Ninh Binh People’s Committee Dinh Van Dien Ninh Binh said that the province is determined to exceed social-economic development goals it set in the beginning of the year.  At a conference assessing socio-economic development in the first nine months of this year and the plans for the remaining months, he demanded localities complete their tasks to ensure the budget income goal.  The province will continue taking measures to attract investment and support projects at industrial parks and will accelerate key projects. It will also promote tourism.  According to Nguyen Cao Son, director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment, in the past nine months Ninh Binh’s industrial production value reached 24 trillion VND (1.08 billion USD), down 1.9 percent against the same period last year.   The province’s total investment capital was 15 trillion VND (670 million USD) and the budget collection reached 3.7 trillion VND (168 million USD), equal to 78.7 percent of yearly targets but an increase of 54.4 percent. The budget income for the whole year is expected to reach 5.2 trillion VND (232 million USD). Vietnam, Sweden seek ways to promote sustainable development Vietnamese and Swedish experts discussed measures to promote sustainable development on the basis of innovation and creativity at a seminar in Hanoi on October 5. The event offered opportunities to foster links between research institutes, universities, enterprises, investors and policy makers of the two countries. In his speech, Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh underlined the significance of science technology, innovation and creativity to growth and development of economies, saying that these play a vital role in improving the competitiveness of countries and businesses. Science-technology cooperation in their fields of strength will be beneficial to both Vietnam and Sweden, he said, noting that it will further step up economic links and opening up chances for Sweden to make inroads into Vietnam’s partner countries. Ann Linde, Sweden’s Minister for EU Affairs and Trade affirmed her country has become one of the leading countries in innovation and creativity, which helped Sweden turn its industry-based economy into a knowledge economy. She praised Vietnam’s achievements in recent times, saying that Sweden is willing to share its experience to help Vietnam achieve more economic growth and sustainable development. Participants of the seminar focused their discussion on specific areas for cooperation, including challenges facing Vietnam in developing environmentally friendly and smart public transport systems and ways to develop Vietnam into a global production centre.- Work starts on Hanoi's Ring Road 3 extension Construction work on extending Ring Road 3, the lifeline of Hanoi, started this morning. The project is estimated to cost more than 3.1 trillion VND (137.8 million USD) from the city’s budget. The extended road, which will be 5.5 km long, runs from Mai Dich intersection in Cau Giay district to Km5+500 on Thang Long bridge. It will have six lanes and five walking bridges. The project covers an area of about 39.2 hectares across two wards in Cau Giay district and three wards in Bac Tu Liem district. At 1.824 trillion VND (over 81 million USD), the cost of land clearance accounts for more than half the investment. So far 35 percent of the land clearance is done. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Nguyen Duc Chung, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, highlighted the important role of the Ring Road 3’s extension for improving the city’s connectivity. “Ring Road 3 is the lifeline of the city, linking the northern and north-eastern provinces, industrials zones and Noi Bai International Airport with the city centre,” he said. Once completed, the road is expected to ease traffic congestion on Pham Van Dong, Nguyen Hoang Ton and Co Nhue và Hoang Quoc Viet crossroads. The road will also move forward the transport ministry’s plan to build a bridge from Mai Dich to Thang Long bridge, which will wrap up Ring Road 3 construction as planned until 2030, with a vision towards 2050, he said. The Chairman asked investors and contractors to mobilise sufficient human and material resources to ensure that the project maintains high quality standards, keeps the environment clean and does not affect residents. “The city’s construction department must work with the transport department to move trees from the construction area to nursery gardens for cultivation,” he said. The extension of Ring Road 3 is one of the 52 key projects for the city between 2016 and 2020. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc gave the project the go-ahead with specific mechanisms in awarding the contract. Hanoi: social insurance coverage reaches 78 percent About 52,000 out of 140,000 companies operating in Hanoi have joined the local social insurance network, bringing the local insurance coverage to 78 percent.  The figure was released at a working session between municipal officials and an inspection group from the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour on October 5.  As heard at the function, communications have been boosted for the city to hit its target of 90-percent social insurance coverage by 2020.  Head of the inspection group Mai Duc Chinh noted efforts made by the capital to raise public awareness about social insurance policy and law.  However, Hanoi’s social insurance debt remained high at more than 2.6 trillion VND (117 million USD), he said, adding that local authorities need to pay more attention to legal procedures against enterprises with social insurance debts. Thanh Hoa compiles list of poor, near-poor households The central province of Thanh Hoa is carrying out an one-month survey to compile a full list of poor- and near-poor households based on multi-dimensional poverty criteria, to serve the implementation of welfare policy in 2017.  The survey will also collect information on poor households’ access to basic social services such as health care, education, housing, clean water, and information to update the database of the province and districts.  Steering boards for the survey have been set up at all levels to ensure the work is carried out in a democratic and transparent manner.  In 2015, Thanh Hoa counted 128,893 poor households and 93,201 near-poor households according to multidimensional poverty index, accounting for 13.51 percent and 9.77 percent of the province’s total households, respectively. Outstanding farmers to be honoured Outstanding farmers across the country who made great contributions to agriculture and the new-style rural area building programme will be honoured at a ceremony in Hanoi on October 14.  At a press conference in Hanoi on October 5, Vice President of the Vietnam Farmers’ Association Nguyen Hong Ly, who is also head of the programme’s organising board, noted that nearly 70 percent of Vietnam’s population are farmers, and half of the nation’s workforce work in the agriculture sector.  The honoring of the farmers is part of the “Proud of Vietnamese Farmers” programme, which was first held in 2013 with the aim of highlighting the examples of excellent farmers in the national construction and development.  The farmers honoured by the programme are selected based on four categories, which are the production and trade of agricultural products, the implementation of the new-style rural area building programme, the movement of safeguarding the national security and sovereignty, and scientific inventions and initiatives applicable in agricultural production.  The ceremony will be broadcast live on Vietnam Television’s Channel 1.  Earlier, the Nong Thon Ngay Nay (Rural Area Today) Newspaper announced winners of the third writing contest on Vietnamese farmers, including a first prize, two second and three third prizes, and five consolation prizes. Prime Minister recognises island communes in Soc Trang The Prime Minister has issued a decision recognising 11 communes and towns in the southern province of Soc Trang as island communes. They are An Thanh 1, An Thanh 2, An Thanh 3, East An Thanh, West An Thanh, South An Thanh Nam, Ai An 1, and Cu Lao Dung town, in Cu Lao Dung district, and Phong Nam, An Lac Tay, and Nhon My, in Ke Sach district.  The island communes will be entitled to preferential policies designed for island communes as regulated by law.  The people’s committees of the districts having island communes have to build communal socio-economic development plans based on the Prime Minister’s decision 568/QĐ-TTg dated April 28, 2010 approving the development planning on Vietnamese island economy to 2020. The plans need to adapt to the real situation and local budget capacity. The committees have to implement preferential treatments related to island communes issued by the Government and the Prime Minister. Learning society – Vietnam’s development strategy Life-long learning is indispensable, especially given the rapid technological innovation and longer human longevity, deputy head of the Ministry of Education and Training’s Department of Continuing Education Nguyen Cong Hinh told the Vietnam News Agency in a recent interview.  Learning should not be confined to childhood or the classroom but take place throughout life and in a range of situations, improving personal knowledge, skills and behaviour. He said illiteracy is not only the inability to read and write but also a lack of knowledge about science-technology and working skills. In 2005, the government adopted the learning society strategy until 2010 and has passed its extension to 2020. The 2012-2020 scheme targets eradicating illiteracy, educational universalisation and distance training, especially for rural workers, retirees, housewives and the disabled in libraries, museums, cultural houses and clubs, to improve their computer, foreign language and professional skills. To build an educated society with learning at all ages and formal and informal learning, a community-based learning centre (CLCs) model has been piloted in Vietnam since 1997. It has been applied nationwide with about 11,000 CLCs spread across 98.77 percent of all communes and wards, serving tens of millions of people. Continuing education centres attract learners Officially established in 1994, the Nguyen Van To Continuing Education Centre in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem district is one of few continuing education facilities nationwide to organise literacy, elementary, junior and senior classes. There are also poetry, Han-Nom (classical Chinese-Vietnamese ideographic script), calligraphy and Ayurvedic medicine clubs. Pham Duc Nam, the centre’s Director, said to offer lifelong-learning, the centre has added vocational training to its curriculum, diversified teaching and learning methods and improved the quality of teachers. The centre has opened classes for people with disabilities, victims of Agent Orange (AO) dioxin in Hanoi and other localities like Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hung Yen and Thanh Hoa, as well as homeless children and orphans. The Thanh Xuan district Continuing Education Centre has 31 classes, including two literacy classes, with about 1,050 total students. The two literacy classes, based in cultural houses in Thanh Xuan Nam and Kim Giang wards, help children with disabilities and AO victims. The centre has diversified its teaching and learning methods, timetable and locations to satisfy learners’ demands, said To Thi Tra Ly, the centre’s Director. Apart from its official curriculum, the centre has offered vocational training, foreign language courses, computer and cooking classes, along with courses aiming to equip students with life skills. Study encouragement pitches for domestic, foreign assistance Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Vietnam Association of Promoting Education (VAPE) Pham Tat Dong said VAPE has raised funds at home and abroad for poor students, citing Germany’s Happel and France’s Odon Vallet scholarships as examples. Last year, the Vallet Scholarship Fund, established by French Professor Odon Vallet from France's Sorbonne University, set aside 22 billion VND (more than 1 million USD) for 2,250 Vietnamese students this year. Since its establishment in 2001, the fund has awarded over 120 billion VND (5.5 million USD) to more than 25,000 students. Thanks to domestic and foreign sponsors, VAPE attracted more than 2.133 trillion VND (96.95 million USD). Over past years, UNESCO has assisted Vietnam by holding consultation seminars to share experience in building a learning society and supporting CLSs. Dong said VAPE has also raised public awareness of the learning society. Localities and VAPE chapters issued news bulletins, magazines and websites highlighting learning campaigns. A week on life-long learning takes place annually in early October while a campaign fostering reading in schools and the community is launched. The week is themed “Developing reading culture in digital age” and is expected to push forward the application of technology in library activities. Quang Tri hosts exhibition on Hoang Sa, Truong Sa An exhibition affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos opened in Cua Viet township, Gio Linh district, the central coast province of Quang Tri on October 4. Titled “Vietnam’s Hoang Sa, Truong Sa – Historical and Legal Evidence”, the event drew the participation of local people, including students. Nearly 150 photos and 100 documents related to Vietnam’s sovereignty over the two archipelagos are on display. They included documents issued by the Vietnamese feudal states, as well as some materials published in Vietnam and other countries since the 16th century. They all showed the assertion, exercise and protection of Vietnam’s sovereignty over the two archipelagos. The event aims to raise public awareness of protecting the country’s sea and island sovereignty among local people. The exhibition runs until October 7. Specialties nationwide converge in Hanoi Agriproducts, including specialties from all over the country, will converge at the Vietnamese Safe Farm Products and Food Week that will take place at 142 locations in 12 urban districts in Hanoi from October 12-17.  According to Nguyen Van Chi, director of the Hanoi Agriculture Trade Promotion Centre, around 1,800 product lines will be introduced to Hanoi customers.  The organisers will also set up 100 standard booths to display products at the Exhibition Fair, Economic Transaction and Commerce Area in Hoang Quoc Viet street, Cau Giay district.  The centre also gives instructions to customers to identify and trace the origin of safe agriproducts and organise a conference to review the supply of safe vegetables and meat for Hanoi in the first nine months. HCM City prepares for Int’l festival with RoK city Ho Chi Minh City is making best preparations for the HCM City – Gyongju International Cultural Festival 2017, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem has said.  The official made the statement during his meeting with Lee Dong Woo, General Secretary of the Festival Organising Board, in the city on October 6.  Highlighting the importance of the festival, Vice Chairman Liem said it will be an important event in Vietnam – Republic of Korea relations and a positive start for other cultural and economic events of the two countries in the coming time.  Lee said the Festival 2017 will be the RoK’s only cultural activity held for the longest time abroad. It will introduce various activities of traditional and modern culture of the RoK to Vietnamese people.  He also believed that the success of the HCM City – Gyongju Festival will deepen economic and cultural cooperation of Vietnam and the RoK. In September, officials of HCM City, Gyongsangbuk-do province and Gyongju city signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the HCM City – Gyongju Festival 2017.  The festival will celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the RoK, and welcome the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum 2017 in Vietnam.  The festival will take place in November 2017 and last for 25 days. Hanoi Book Fair 2016 opens at Thang Long Citadel Hanoi Book Fair 2016, organised by the capital’s Department of Information and Communications, kicked off at Thang Long Citadel on October 6.  The book fair, themed “Book and Integration”, aims to honour reading culture and traditional values as well as contribute to building a learning society, said Nguyen Duc Chung, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee at the opening ceremony.  It also marks the 62nd anniversary of Hanoi’s Liberation Day and 20th anniversary of Vietnam joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and one year of the ASEAN Community, he added.  With the main topic “Hanoi and ASEAN countries”, the fair displays an array of books, photos and publications reflecting collaboration between Hanoi, Vietnam and ASEAN countries.  Books, maps and documents affirming Vietnam’s national sea and island sovereignty are also featured at an indoor space entitled “Vietnam’s Sea and Islands”. The exhibition also showcases books and photos on the culture and society of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago.  The fair houses 170 booths of 46 domestic and 20 foreign publishers. They present various book genres, including children’s books, literature, culture and society, economy and e-books.  As a chance to promote cultural exchange between countries worldwide, the event attracts a wide range of well-known international publishers, such as Cambridge, Oxford (United Kingdom), Copperath (Germany), Graph-Art (Hungary), Japan UNI Agency and Frobel-kan (Japan) and Kyowon (the Republic of Korea).  Within the fair’s framework, there will be numerous significant activities, including “The Capital’s reading culture ambassador 2016” award ceremony, the screening of documentaries films on Hanoi with the theme of Hanoi in Foreigners’ Eyes, with English subtitles. The book fair runs through October 10. Vietnamese movie comes to Melbourne “Cau vong khong sac” (Rainbow without colour) will be screened during the Vietnam Film Festival, which is taking place in Melbourne, Australia, from September 29 to October 6. The film tells the story of a romance between the son and adopted son of Ms Yen. The two men live together, and one day, they announce their love to their family. Ms Yen cannot accept it her sons homosexuality, with her lack of acceptance driving her son to death. The film focuses on the relationship between parents and their children in Vietnam, where parents play a big role in their offspring’s lives. The movie, directed by Nguyen Quang Tuyen, competed in the First Films World category at the Montreal Film Festival 2015. It was selected from 2,000 films from across the world to be screened at the 39th Montreal Film Festival.- VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri/VNE